Survivor XM717

XM717 - RAF Museum, Hendon, Greater London

Victor K.2 XM717 at Hendon, 8th March 2003; author

The RAF Museum at Hendon completed their trio of V-Bombers in 1997 with the addition of this Victor nose. Lucky Lou has lived up to her name and thankfully avoided the vandalism meted out to Cosford's Vulcan nose (XA893), XM717 is instead beautifully presented with perspex guards to stop any light-fingered visitors and some panels on the starboard side replaced with perspex so you can see inside - e.g. the radar bay. She also represents the inflight refuelling force, with a drogue firmly attached to the refuelling probe and the fuel line extending up into the rafters. The name Lucky Lou referred to the wife of Crew Chief Geoff Shilton - his name is still on the crew door!